Banner Elk Winery

The genesis of wine tradition has arrived in the High Country of North Carolina. The Banner Elk Winery is the first commercial winery built in Avery and Watagua counties. Our purpose is to process locally grown grapes into excellent wines reflecting the unique characteristics of the Appalachian Mountains. Vintner Dr. Richard Wolfe established the need for the winery in 2001 while working to create the Center for Applied Sciences at Appalachian State University. Today, he provides guidance and encouragement to local farmers planting vineyards that use the new French-American and American variety of grapes. The fruit is hearty enough to survive the harsh winters of the High Country. Located only a couple of miles north of Banner Elk, North Carolina, the Banner Elk Winery is situated on a 25-year old, 20-acre blueberry farm, which has been recognized as the premier blueberry farm in North Carolina. In 2004, Dr. Wolfe used the local fruit to create the first blueberry wine and blueberry port at his winery in Abingdon, Virginia, Wolf Creek Winery. The wine has already received regional recognition and will become the trademark of this new Winery.